Asylum Accommodation Working in partnership in local areas Helen Earner, UKVK, 21 December 2015

Asylum System Background The UK has a proud history of offering asylum to those who genuinely need it. Asylum seekers may be eligible to receive financial support as well as access to housing, education and NHS healthcare. Management of asylum applications and accommodation are separate responsibilities from resettlement; but the clients are similar. In recent years, the UK has received over 20,000 asylum applications per year. Demand has risen steadily since 2010, but is not yet at the historic peak of 80,000 reached in Applicants tend to be in the majority young and male. If someone is found not to need the UK's protection we expect them to leave the country voluntarily, and we provide assistance to help people do so.

Asylum System Process overview IntakeScreeningDispersal Interview & Decision Appeal Initial Accommodation (S98)Dispersal Accommodation (S95) Intake: applicants register their claim and are screened (fingerprinted, security and identity checks). If an applicant is destitute, they are accommodated. First in initial accommodation whilst longer term housing is organised. There are 7 initial accommodation sites in the UK. Asylum Support is terminated when an application is granted, or if appeal rights are exhausted. A decision on straightforward cases is made in 6 months % of applications result in a grant. 99 local authority areas participate in asylum dispersal.

Accommodation and transport for asylum seekers is provided across six COMPASS contracts awarded to three main providers. G4S, Serco and Clearsprings Ready Homes work with local authorities to agree the location of dispersal accommodation. The dispersal population at the end of Sept 2015 is shown below (published data).published data Asylum Accommodation Housing supply CLEARSPRINGS GROUP L&SE2006 W&SW3173 G4S CARE AND JUSTICE SERVICES (UK) M&EE7027 NEY&H6449 SERCO CIVIL GOVERNMENT NW7531 S&NI3242 SERCO G4S CLEARSPRINGS

Demand is up and more dispersal accommodation is needed at pace in response. Ahead of that being in place, contingency plans have been invoked. Officials are working together to do all possible to end contingency. A widening dispersal strategy is rolling out to increase access to the supply of suitable housing for COMPASS. We have 99 areas in the national dispersal policy now We are consulting to increase this significantly. We think 200 areas is a realistic ambition. Asylum Accommodation Widening dispersal SERCO G4S CLEARSPRINGS

Managing dispersal and resettlement ‘We need both’  Rising intake means we must manage refugee resettlement alongside widening dispersal. To meet the Prime Minister’s commitment and the UK’s statutory obligations.  Opportunities 1.Use and share existing expertise, UKVI, Councils, civic society, Strategic Migration Partnerships 2.Joint decisions 3.Share infrastructure, e.g. Migrant Help, local Multi Agency Forums 4.Make use of all offers, e.g. housing for Syrian resettlement more immediately appropriate for asylum. SMP grant for 2015/6 is being reviewed by UKVI, together with Syrian Resettlement Command. Decisions made will reflect not only asylum dispersal and resettlement, but other ongoing commitments to joint work to reduce illegal migration, Modern Slavery and promoting enterprise and growth.